Daily
Reading
Don’t be in a hurry. Slow down. Take the time to think about it. Write out the answers to the questions. Spend some time praying! Make a list of things you want to pray about today and pray through them. This is one of the ways we honestly seek Jesus. Give it your best! See what happens!
If a daily reminder to spend time in the word would be helpful, click the button below to sign up for the email.
Click below for today's passage
Luke 15:1–7
- Why do you think the religious leaders were bothered that Jesus welcomed sinners?
- What does the shepherd’s pursuit of one sheep teach you about how God sees you?
- Is there an area of your life where Jesus is inviting you to trust His voice more closely?
Luke 15:1–7 (NLT)
Parable of the Lost Sheep
1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!
3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
John 10:11–18
- What qualities of the Good Shepherd stand out to you most in this passage?
- How have you experienced Jesus protecting, guiding, or pursuing you?
- What would it look like today to follow His voice instead of your own?
John 10:11–18 (NLT)
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
17 “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”
Luke 15:8–10
- What does the woman’s determination tell you about God’s view of people?
- Do your priorities reflect what God values most?
- Who is one person you can intentionally pray for this week?
Luke 15:8–10 (NLT)
Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[fn] and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
Luke 15:17–24
- What do you learn about God’s character from the father’s response to his son?
- Have you ever struggled to believe God could truly forgive or welcome you?
- Is there an area where you need to “come home” to the Father today?
Luke 15:17–24 (NLT)
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.[fn]’
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
Luke 15:25–32
- Why was the older brother unable to celebrate with his father?
- Are there times when comfort, comparison, or self-righteousness keeps you from sharing God’s heart for others?
- How can you celebrate what God is doing in someone else’s life this week?
Luke 15:25–32 (NLT)
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’
28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
Matthew 28:16–20
- What does Jesus ask every believer to do in this passage?
- Who has God already placed in your everyday life that needs to experience His love?
- What is one simple step you could take this week—an invitation, a conversation, or a prayer—to point someone toward Jesus?
Matthew 28:16–20 (NLT)
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[fn] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Looking in the Right Place
Read: Matthew 19:16–22
Devotional
The rich young ruler seemed to have everything anyone could want. He was moral, respected, wealthy, and sincere. Yet he came to Jesus because something was still missing.
His question revealed what he believed:
“What good thing must I do?”
Like many of us, he assumed life could be earned. If he just found the right achievement, the right accomplishment, or the right level of obedience, then he would finally feel secure.
Jesus lovingly exposed something deeper.
The issue wasn’t money.
It was trust.
The ruler wanted eternal life without surrender. He wanted Jesus to improve his life, not redefine it.
It’s easy to judge him until we realize we often do the same thing. We look to careers, relationships, financial security, approval, or personal success to answer the deepest questions of our hearts.
Jesus still asks us to loosen our grip on whatever has become ultimate so we can receive what is truly eternal.
Questions
- Where am I most tempted to look for security instead of Christ?
- What would be hardest for me to surrender if Jesus asked me today?
- What does this story teach me about following Jesus?
Matthew 19:16–22 (NLT)
The Rich Man
16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher,[fn] what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”
17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep[fn] the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” the man asked.
And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’[fn]”
20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”
21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
When Good Things Become Ultimate Things
Read: Exodus 20:1–6
Devotional
Most idols aren’t ugly.
They’re beautiful.
Family.
Success.
Comfort.
Money.
Recognition.
Freedom.
These are gifts from God, but they become idols when they become the thing we trust most.
The rich young ruler wasn’t condemned because he possessed wealth.
He walked away because wealth possessed him.
An idol is anything that promises to give us what only Jesus can truly provide.
Only Christ can satisfy the longing for significance, identity, security, and purpose.
Questions
- What good gift is most likely to compete for first place in my heart?
- How can I enjoy God’s gifts without making them ultimate?
- What would trusting Jesus more deeply look like this week?
Exodus 20:1–6 (NLT)
Ten Commandments for the Covenant Community
1 Then God gave the people all these instructions[fn]:
2 “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those[fn] who love me and obey my commands.
The Upside-Down Kingdom
Read: Matthew 20:20–28
Devotional
James and John loved Jesus.
Their problem wasn’t a lack of faith.
It was a misunderstanding of greatness.
Like the rest of the disciples, they assumed God’s Kingdom worked like Rome’s kingdom.
Power.
Influence.
Recognition.
Status.
Jesus completely overturned those assumptions.
“The greatest among you must be your servant.”
The King Himself would wash feet.
The Lord of glory would give His life.
In God’s Kingdom, greatness isn’t measured by how many people serve you.
It’s measured by how willing you are to serve others.
Questions
- How does the world define greatness?
- How does Jesus redefine greatness?
- Who can I intentionally serve today?
Matthew 20:20–28 (NLT)
Jesus Teaches about Serving Others
20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked.
She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”
24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Hands Too Full
Read: Luke 18:35–43
Devotional
A blind beggar sat alongside the road while a wealthy ruler walked away from Jesus.
One had almost nothing.
The other had everything.
Yet only one received life.
The beggar knew he needed Jesus.
The ruler believed he simply needed another rule.
God often fills the empty hands that are willing to receive Him.
The danger isn’t having much.
The danger is believing we no longer need Christ.
Pride closes our hands.
Humility opens them.
Questions
- What keeps me from depending on Jesus every day?
- Where have I become self-sufficient?
- How can I practice humble dependence today?
Luke 18:35–43 (NLT)
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene[fn] was going by. 38 So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
39 “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”
42 And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” 43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
The King Who Served
Read: Philippians 2:1–11
Devotional
Jesus had every right to demand worship.
Instead, He chose a towel.
He chose a cross.
He chose sacrifice.
The greatest King became the greatest servant.
The rich young ruler wanted to gain life.
Jesus gave His life.
James and John wanted positions of honor.
Jesus embraced humiliation.
Only Jesus could offer eternal life because only Jesus gave Himself as our ransom.
The gospel isn’t ultimately about what we give up.
It’s about what Christ gave for us.
His surrender makes ours possible.
Questions
- What stands out to me about Jesus’ humility?
- How does Christ’s sacrifice reshape the way I live?
- What is one practical way I can imitate Jesus’ servant-heartedness today?
Philippians 2:1–11 (NLT)
Have the Attitude of Christ
1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,[fn]
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[fn];
he took the humble position of a slave[fn]
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,[fn]
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Open Hands
Read: Psalm 73:23–28
Devotional
The psalmist came to a beautiful conclusion:
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides You.”
That’s where Jesus wanted to lead the rich young ruler.
Not toward poverty.
Toward freedom.
The things of this world were never meant to carry the weight of our identity.
Only Christ can.
When our hands are full of lesser things, we struggle to receive the greater gift.
But when we surrender everything to Jesus, we discover we haven’t lost life—we’ve finally found it.
Questions
- Is Jesus truly my greatest treasure?
- What am I still holding onto too tightly?
- What would it look like to live with open hands this coming week?
Psalm 73:23–28 (NLT)
23 Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
27 Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do